Analysis of antiviral and antimicrobial activity of Opuntia Stricta (red prickly pear) extract treated cotton fabric by cationization technique for healthcare and hygiene textiles

The aim of this work is to produce an effective antiviral and antimicrobial cotton fabric with adequate wash fastness effects on the Opuntia Stricta (red prickly pear) extracted treated textile materials for healthcare and hygiene application. Since humans are more prone to bacterial and viral infections which are deadly and contagious, proper use of these fabrics will effectively reduce the spread of human pathogenic microorganisms. Cotton fabric is taken because it has a good absorbency, comfort and durability. Cotton fabric is subjected to cationization process using chitosan and sericin. The extract of plant Opuntia Stricta is obtained from its fruits by aqueous extraction technique. The Opuntia Stricta fruit are highly effective and possess various flavonoids that inhibit the growth and spread of human pathogenic microorganisms and the Opuntia Stricta extract were applied on to the cotton material using herbal dyeing technique. The effectiveness of the finished fabric were analyzed by AATCC method for qualitative evaluation of antimicrobial activity of the treated samples, its shows excellent zone of inhibition in both gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram negative bacteria Echerichia coli.